Egypt’s Permanent Representative in Geneva elected Vice-President of UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Board

CAIRO – 25 November 2025: Egypt’s Permanent Representative in Geneva, Ambassador Alaa Hegazy was elected on Tuesday, Vice-President of the Trade and Development Board of UNCTAD for the term 2025–2026.

During the meeting of the Trade and Development Board, Ambassador Hegazy emphasized that the current global moment does not allow for isolated action, and that multilateral cooperation remains the most effective path to address escalating challenges.

He also highlighted several priority areas that should be further strengthened in the organization’s work, including: ‘Enhancing African countries’ productive capacities, diversifying their economies, and building more resilient growth models capable of withstanding external shocks.’

Also ‘supporting the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area to boost intra-African trade and expanding international partnerships to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and to contribute to shaping the post-2030 development agenda.’

Ambassador Hegazy also outlined the significant economic pressures facing developing countries—from rising poverty levels and declining investment flows to unprecedented debt burdens—stressing that addressing these challenges requires a coordinated international response, including practical solutions for development financing, debt relief, technology transfer, and capacity-building, to ensure inclusive and sustainable development, particularly in the African continent.